It took a while for the American Western to find its groove. Even by the 1930s, the genre hadn't quite found its prestige. Examples were cheap, cookie-cutter B-movies that hardly showed anything of resonance. That was, until 1939, when John Ford gave us Stagecoach, a near-perfect film that practically invented the genre as we know it today. The film made the genre one of importance and one that, even in 2015, continues to reinvent itself. This year's The Hateful Eight isn't exactly a reinvention of a genre so much as it is a return of sorts. Quentin Tarantino, as with all of his films, creates a singular, unique experience that is both a love letter to a genre as well as a whole, new bag entirely. And it all starts, of course, with a stagecoach.

On that stagecoach, we are introduced to four of those despicable, eponymous characters: "The Hangman" John Ruth, a bounty hunter who always brings his captures in alive to hang, played by veteran actor Kurt Russell; Daisy Domergue, Ruth's latest prisoner he's taking in, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh; Major Marquis Warren, a former, Union soldier turned bounty hunter, played by Samuel L. Jackson; and Chris Mannix, the self-proclaimed, new sheriff of Red Rock, played by Walton Goggins. Red Rock is the goal for this stagecoach, but the blizzard quickly catching up to the travelers in the snow-clad mountains of Wyoming forces them to make a pit stop. The location: Minnie's Haberdashery.

Here, where most of Hateful Eight takes place, we meet the remaining four: Oswaldo Mobray, the hangman in the area, played by Tim Roth; a cow-puncher named Joe Gage, played by Michael Madsen; Bob, the Mexican caretaker of the Haberdashery while Minnie is away, played by Demián Bichir; and General Sandy Smithers, a former general in the Confederate army during the Civil War, played by Bruce Dern. Ruth, ever the cautious – some might call it "paranoid" – fellow, doesn't trust any of them, his belief that one or more of them is there to break his prisoner free even if that means killing everyone else. The blizzard hits. The front door has to be nailed shut. Truths begin flying and responded to by bullets. Everyone has a secret, and some of those secrets could get the lot of them killed. It is, after all, a Quentin Tarantino film.

Part single-location character study, part Agatha Christie-esque thriller with the body count to match, part masterpiece of violence loaded with tongue-through-cheek black humor, The Hateful Eight is always true to itself and true to its maker. Tarantino didn't shock anyone after announcing he would be following Django Unchained with another Western. The genre suits him, and that goes way beyond the filmmaker's obvious passion for it, especially the Spaghetti Western era. It suits his visual style to a T, as well, the filmmaker and cinematographer Robert Richardson capturing it all in glorious 70mm this time around.

With The Hateful Eight, though, Tarantino is going back to his filmmaking roots in a way, the film's single location and cast of brightly colorful characters drawing more than a little comparison to Reservoir Dogs. The story, though brimming with information that slowly builds his exquisite characters, is rather straightforward. It has its reveals just as any good mystery should, and Tarantino still seasons his narrative with those blindsiding shocks that flash grisly violence before our eyes and leaves us to deal with the ramifications in the aftermath. The Hateful Eight is likely the filmmakers meanest film to date, most of this aspect stemming from just how unlikeable these characters are. Every one of them gives you a reason to hate them or, at the very least, not think too highly of them from a moral standpoint.

The success in its ability to entertain, though, is another matter altogether. As wretched as these characters are they are each something of a caricature, almost a cartoonish representation of a character we’ve seen in the Western genre before. Stereotypes run rampant, some of which would probably get the race card thrown at them were the characters not all throwing the N-word around like it’s never gone out of style, anyway. In this post-Civil War, post-Lincoln assassination setting that particular word hasn’t run its course just yet, nor have a lot of hateful attitudes. The nasty speech and intolerant dialogue getting thrown around becomes more a representation of the hate-filled time and place than any of the individual players.

A whole article could be devoted to the actors playing those parts, by the way, as each of them brings something incredibly special with them. Russell and Jackson are in top form playing up the camaraderie between the two bounty hunters early on, their attitudes towards each other shifting with the progressing storyline. Goggins is also a treat to watch here (when is he not?) playing his role of a former raider during the Civil War with a natural, built-in loathing. All the while, his energy is off he charts, and Goggins performance matched with the character makes Chris Mannix one of the film's biggest surprises. Roth and Madsen are equally strong, the former getting a little more scenery to chew in the front half of the film. Dern is quiet but powerful just as his character’s attitude requires.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, however, becomes the real standout among the wide slate of talent involved. She plays the role of a woman who, without knowing the crimes of which she is accused, dares you to despise her. As reprehensible and overtly grotesque as she comes across, you can’t break your vision from her. It’s mostly due to the quiet, somber disgust she projects for much of the film, and the fact that Tarantino knows precisely when to hold the camera directly on her. More than that, though, is the knowledge that, when this woman explodes, it’s going to get ugly fast. Even after all that, Leigh gives off the slightest sense of charm within her performance, a key moment of genuine sweetness coming midway in the film when she begins strumming a guitar and sings a folk song. The Hateful Eight has a sea of character moments, and this most humanistic of traits Leigh gives to her character is one of the many reasons why she stands out so much.

It is difficult, of course, for anyone in the esemble to really stand out in a Tarantino film. Even the smaller parts, those characters within the film that aren’t quite mean enough to be counted among the main herd, are remarkable. James Parks, a Tarantino veteran after Kill Bill and Death Proof, makes the coach driver, O.B., so much more than a throwaway character, and Channing Tatum, America's sweetheart, shows up late in the second half for a brief but memorable role. Dana Gourrier as the Minnie of Minnie's Haberdashery and Gene Jones as her significant other, Sweet Dave, pop up in a minor flashback, but even their chemistry makes you wish to see more of their "insignificant" characters.

The star of The Hateful Eight - besides the amazing direction and phenomenal acting - comes in the form of Ennio Morricone's original score (which you can now buy a copy of), specifically the film's theme. Tarantino has never used an original piece of music written for one of his films until now, and Morricone, 87 years of age and counting, delivers a theme that is both hip and dark yet unapologetically playful. It makes perfect sense why Tarantino decided to break one of his longtime, filmmaking rules with this piece of music. Not only does Morricone's theme fit The Hateful Eight like a boot, it fits Tarantino, himself.

Hip, dark, and unapologetically playful – and not to mention brutal and as unforgiving as a rattlesnake pit – Tarantino and his event pictures have been that bit of dark entertainment that is always anticipated and always delivers as promised. The Hateful Eight isn't a sprawling epic like Django Unchained, nor does it have the emotional resonance of the Kill Bill saga. It doesn't subvert the audience's expectations in clever and satisfying ways like Pulp Fiction or Inglourious Basterds, in my opinion the two films competing as Tarantino's best and his true masterpieces.

The scope of The Hateful Eight, though, comes in those stunning 70mm frames and the depth the filmmaker captures whether he's shooting a Wyoming mountain range or a small shack. Aside from its technical execution and the success of such, the film could be viewed as Tarantino making a B-movie, albeit a damn fine one. In that way, the filmmaker and lover of film history has turned that stagecoach around and headed back into the lost, yet, important beginnings of the American Western. The only difference between those films of old and this is Tarantino has nearly a century of technological advancement and a career's worth of honing his skill, one of the greatest filmmaking skills the art-form has yet seen. All this to make The Hateful Eight, the greatest B-movie Western of all time and another, cool work of art from Tarantino. Truly, John Ford would even be proud of this one.

Reader Feedback - 32 Comments

This has made me more excited to see it than anything I've seen or heard thus far

Jon Odishaw on Dec 24, 2015

2

man, I was sold the first time I heard who was attached to the film - tarantino, Russell, dern, roth, Jackson, goggins, madsen and leigh.......looking forward to seeing this on xmas!!!!

dan on Dec 24, 2015

3

russell will get the oscar for best over acting in a movie this decade

Martin on Dec 26, 2015

4

well, from your comment above, I doubt someone with such a short attention span could make any kind of real comment on a movie of this length. I'd suggest you stick to watching 30 minute tv sitcoms since you probably aren't capable of watching/doing anything that requires you to focus your attention for more than that.

dan on Dec 26, 2015

5

fast forward to the last hour and it's a great movie

Martin on Dec 27, 2015

6

I can't disagree with this review more. Quentin Tarantino wasted an opportunity to create a modern classic in 70mm and instead indulges in a ridiculous, childish escapade of vulgarity and violence that amounts to little more than a few guilty laughs from a cast that seem barely capable of regurgitating what have become trite Tarantino characters. And for the roadshow, if your excited for a simple 8-page booklet that fails to include even a simple program for the presentation, the potential for the theater to fallback to the digital print out of convenience and no other particular fanfare for the film, then you should be sure to buy your ticket in advance. Otherwise don't waste your time on this wasted effort by a director who, at best, has become a caricature of his early work.

DigiSurfer on Dec 25, 2015

7

Digi is right. The whole experience kinda blew. My theater just cut the normal screen by a third and projected the 70mm that way, so it didnt really feel special, aside from being a different type of aspect ratio. Maybe thats what people are talking about - IDK. The script is terrible with characters introducing themselves multiple times and redundancy that by the end of the first act was annoying. He really needs to stop surrounding himself with yes men and get back to trimming these long ass scripts that go no where.
Aside from that, my audience laughed every time the "n word" was used and I really think they had no idea what they were even laughing at. My friend said it best that it'll probably ruin any opportunity 70mm had, because it came off like an attempt to charge a higher price for a terrible movie.

Buzz on Dec 25, 2015

8

the script is "terrible" and went "nowhere"???......hardly -the script did go somewhere and told an interesting tale. I enjoyed the whole movie. and, the use of the N word fit in with the movie just as much as it's use of the C word - the scene of the movie isn't far removed from the end of the civil war.
as far as the script going "nowhere" - did you watch all of the movie - because, it did go somewhere.....and I was pleased because I never did figure out where it was going till the shit hit the proverbial fan.
you certainly have a right to hate it if you want to - but I LOVED it.

dan on Dec 25, 2015

9

wow, digisurfer - I couldn't DISAGREE MORE with what you think. I loved the movie from beginning to end. I especially enjoyed the dialogue (so many great lines in this one) between the characters as well as the black humor.......and then there was how the tale played out - I loved that too. and, you're surprised that a tarantino film has vulgarity and violence????? also, I'm amazed you're knocking the cast - we must not have watched the same movie AT ALL.
folks, if you like tarantino films, by all means give this one a look - it's worth it. if, like digisurfer, you find vulgarity and violence "childish and ridiculous" - avoid it.

dan on Dec 25, 2015

10

I couldn't disagree more with you.....and, you're criticizing the cast??? - they did a fantastic job with this. and the movie was more than a " ridiculous, childish escapade of vulgarity and violence that amounts to little more than a few guilty laughs" - it turned into a very entertaining mystery. I loved the way sam Jackson was breaking down what he thought was happening and following that up with the flashback to minnies fate was perfect. also, this film had more memorable lines than I can remember any movie having in a long time - and JJL was a real scene stealer with what few lines she had while Walton goggins seemingly hit a homerun every time he opened his mouth.
no offense, but it sounds like you should have been watching "the sound of music" on xmas instead of hateful eight.

dan on Dec 26, 2015

11

The cast was great but Quentin's dialogue, on these westerns, isn't his strong point. Jackie Brown, the dialogue was unbelievably good and the interaction of the cast. It floored me what and how they had DeNiro saying and doing. I was pinching myself. And Samuel Jackson, the words coming out of him and the way he played his character, wow!
Samuel Jackson is, long ago, evolved into one of those cinematic icons. He made this movie and I'm glad he wasn't killed off (Hateful 8). Sad to see Kurt go.

Mr. Guymon on Jan 2, 2016

12

I haven't seen it yet, but when I do, it will be at home. I won't be fooled by this 70mm roadshow nonsense like everyone else seems to be. The whole thing is nothing but an attention-getter. That's all. His explanation of the roadshows was laughable. I thought Tarantino was a film fan and perhaps did some research on them. He doesn't know what he's talking about in the video posted earlier on this site.

Charles Knowlton on Dec 26, 2015

13

eat dinner,30 minutes,take a 90 minute nap and miss the first 2 hours of talk,talk,talk and evil white man rap,after that it turns into a good violent movie

It wasn't an observation at all. I was going by what you had already SAID in another post.

dan on Dec 28, 2015

18

I hope Jennifer Jason Leigh sweeps the awards shows. She was the best thing in this movie. I enjoyed it, but it's not Tarantino's best work in my humble opinion.

Cal J. on Dec 26, 2015

19

Kat Williams and Spike Lee will not like this movie.

Cal J. on Dec 26, 2015

20

probably not. but, they'd be wrong. considering the era this movie was set in, there is no reason to beef about anything.

dan on Dec 26, 2015

21

Inevitably, somebody will bring up the prequel idea and Tarantino will talk about the possibility for the next ten years. It was hard not to root for Daisy because of Leigh's performance, but the flashback showing the viciousness of her gang tells you enough.

Cal J. on Dec 26, 2015

22

exactly - tarantino will probably tease "a prequel could be possible" for a long time . LOL
I kept finding myself hoping daisy would get a break of some sort ....UNTIL the flashback showed how ruthless that gang was - and after her brother was killed, that ruthless side of her began to show.
what's your opinion - you think there really WAS 15 more of the gang in red rock? did either mannix or warren survive? I think she was making up the other gang - if there were 15 more, they could have just overwhelmed the stage to begin with .

dan on Dec 27, 2015

23

I won't speculate any further to avoid more spoilers. Wait until the wide release. Those who like Tarantino's work will probably like this film.

Cal J. on Dec 27, 2015

24

oh! if you haven't seen it, I'm sorry. I had thought you had seen it.

dan on Dec 27, 2015

25

I have seen it. This article is just Jeremy's review. Wide release is January. Most will see it in a few weeks. Let's avoid discussing too much until others have had a chance to see it.

Cal J. on Dec 27, 2015

26

Sounds like a lot of the same from Tarantino. I like his stuff but the same shtick gets old.

Jim Dawkins on Dec 29, 2015

27

What would you like to see different from Tarantino in future films?

Cal J. on Dec 29, 2015

28

More interesting and unexpected story lines and plots. He gets off creating interesting characters but the plot of his movies are ultimately the same. A massive bloody climax of violence. With all the talk about 70 MM I thought he would do something a tad more epic and classic. A little big man, a Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Something with lots of interesting tangents to the story.

Jim Dawkins on Dec 29, 2015

29

Quentin needs to get back to the Jackie Brown and Reservoir Dog days. I'm a big fan but he lost me on Jango and then this one as well. A western is supposed to have sweeping vistas. This whole movie was basically, played on a sound stage.

Mr. Guymon on Jan 2, 2016

30

both films were great. i cant wait for his 3rd western. i bet it will be the best!

Xarmanhs K Afragos Xiwtis on Jul 6, 2016

31

never gonna watch another of this d-bag's movies and certainly won't spend a cent on anything he's involved in. Screw Tarantino

wobbles9094 on Jan 3, 2016

32

The movie was freaking awesome, don't let the PC media fool you, go watch the movie and decide for yourself